Definition of Term

virtual population analysis

(english)
An algorithm for computing historical fishing mortality rates and stock sizes by age or length, based on data on catches, natural mortality, and certain assumptions about mortality for the last year and last age group. Essentially reconstructs the history of each cohort or year class over its life in a fishery, assuming that the observed catches are known without error. Abbreviated as VPA. Also called cohort analysis.
(See also: cohort analysis)